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What we think
The PerfectRec laptop team Learn more
Updated January 10, 2024·
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is a budget-friendly option and tends to be cheaper than the Dell Latitude 5530, which falls under the lower midrange price segment. However, the Latitude 5530 has better overall performance, with a more powerful processor and double the RAM, which is better suited for more demanding tasks and multitasking. It also boasts a longer battery life, which is ideal if you need to work on the go. If you prioritize price and decent performance for everyday tasks, the Inspiron 15 3520 is suitable. Conversely, if you require a laptop with enhanced capabilities and longer staying power away from an outlet, the Latitude 5530 is worth the extra investment. Both models share the same screen size, resolution, and type, so your viewing experience will be similar. Additionally, the Latitude 5530 includes more productivity-focused features, such as Windows 11 Pro, a better variety of ports including Thunderbolt, and is slightly lighter, which could contribute to a more versatile and portable work experience. Give Feedback
this description is based on the product variant with some specs and product variant with some specs. At the time of writing, the variant with some specs cost some dollars and the variant with some specs cost some dollars.
Advantages of the Dell Inspiron 15 3520
- The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has no clear advantages over the Dell Latitude 5530.
Advantages of the Dell Latitude 5530
- Good for general use
- Good for software development
- Good overall build quality
- Very good speakers
- Good keyboard
Key differences
General Use
6.9
7.5
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
259.0 nits
DISPLAY BRIGHTNESS
286.0 nits
6.5 Hours
BATTERY LIFE
9.0 Hours
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
7.6/10
PORTABILITY SCORE
7.6/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 is good for general use, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
The Dell Latitude 5530 outperforms the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 due to its more powerful i5 processor, double the memory, superior screen brightness, and a longer battery life, which make it more suitable for diverse and sustained general use. Additionally, the Latitude 5530 offers a better overall build quality and manages heat more efficiently, further enhancing its appeal for continuous operation over the Inspiron 15 3520.
Engineering and Design
6.3
6.9
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for engineering and design, though the Dell Latitude 5530 is somewhat better.
The Dell Latitude 5530 is favored for engineering and design due to a more robust processor (Intel i5 with Iris Xe graphics) and double the memory compared to the Dell Inspiron 15 3520, which has a less powerful Intel i3 processor and standard graphics.
Software Development
6.7
7.3
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
6.5/10
KEYBOARD QUALITY SCORE
7.0/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 is good for software development, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 is only fair.
PerfectRec’s Software Development Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for software developers.
Screen Quality
6.8
6.3
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
259.0 nits
BRIGHTNESS
286.0 nits
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a better screen than the Dell Latitude 5530 for general use, gaming and AI, and engineering and design, while the Dell Latitude 5530 has a better screen for content creation, and software development.
For general use, both the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and Dell Latitude 5530 provide adequate screen quality with respectable resolution and brightness, but they might not stand out in terms of sharpness or vibrant display compared to higher-end models. When looking at engineering and design applications, the screen quality is fair because they support a decent range of colors, but professionals who require precise color accuracy for their work may find the screens lacking in coverage of professional color gamuts. The gaming and 3D performance is compromised on these laptops; despite having acceptable resolution and panel type, their lower refresh rates mean they aren't ideal for the smooth visuals and responsiveness that gamers and 3D applications typically demand.
Battery
6.5 Hours
9.0 Hours
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has 6.5 hours of battery life. The Dell Latitude 5530 has 9 hours of battery life.
Battery life estimate is based on a mix of common use patterns. More portable and higher performing laptops tend to have less battery life.
Build Quality
6.2
7.4
The Dell Latitude 5530 has good build quality, while the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has only fair build quality.
PerfectRec’s Build Quality Score incorporates case materials, display and keyboard flex, hinge quality, and overall reliability.
Cost
$335
$919
$0
$200
$400
$600
$800
$1,000
$1,200
$1,400
The Dell Inspiron 15 3520 has a price of $335 and the Dell Latitude 5530 costs $919.
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Key similarities
Gaming and AI
6.0
6.2
3.6/10
OVERALL GPU SCORE
3.6/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
120Hz
REFRESH RATE
60Hz
No
SUPPORTS DLSS
No
No
MUX SWITCH / ADVANCED OPTIMUS
No
7.5/10
FAN NOISE SCORE
8.0/10
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both only fair for gaming and AI.
PerfectRec’s Gaming and AI Score strongly emphasizes graphics processing capability, while also taking into account other factors that impact suitability for gaming and AI work.
Content Creation
7.0
7.4
5.8/10
OVERALL CPU SCORE
6.9/10
1920 x 1080
RESOLUTION
1920 x 1080
8.0 GB
RAM
16.0 GB
IPS
DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY
IPS
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 are both good for content creation.
PerfectRec’s Content Creation Score takes into account the many different features of the laptop that make it more or less suitable for photo editing, video editing and other content creation tasks.
Portability
Good
Good
15.6in
SIZE
15.6in
3.6 lbs
WEIGHT
3.5 lbs
0.8in
THICKNESS
0.8in
The Dell Latitude 5530 and Dell Inspiron 15 3520 both have good portability.
The most portable laptops are small, thin, and light.
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How the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 and the Dell Latitude 5530 compare to other laptops
Spec Comparison
 |  | |
| Dell Inspiron 15 3520 | Dell Latitude 5530 |
GENERAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | |||
$335 | $919 | ||
Release Date | |||
Release Date | May 1, 2022 | May 1, 2022 | |
Overall Dimensions | |||
Overall Dimensions | 14.1'' x 9.3'' x 0.83'' | 14.1'' x 9.2'' x 0.87'' | |
Weight | |||
Weight | 3.65 lbs | 3.5 lbs | |
Width | |||
Width | 14.11" | 14.09" | |
Depth | |||
Depth | 9.27" | 9.19" | |
INTERNAL | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Processor | |||
Processor | Intel i3-1215U | Intel i5-1245U | |
RAM | |||
RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB | |
DDR Memory Version | |||
DDR Memory Version | 4 | 4 | |
RAM Slots | |||
RAM Slots | 2 | 2 | |
Storage | |||
Storage | 256 GB | 256 GB | |
BATTERY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Battery Life | |||
Battery Life | 6.5 Hours | 9 Hours | |
Battery Capacity | |||
Battery Capacity | 41 Wh | 58 Wh | |
SCREEN | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Diagonal Size | |||
Diagonal Size | 15.6" | 15.6" | |
Display Technology | |||
Display Technology | IPS | IPS | |
Resolution | |||
Resolution | 1920 x 1080 | 1920 x 1080 | |
Refresh Rate | |||
Refresh Rate | 120Hz | 60Hz | |
Display Brightness | |||
Display Brightness | 259 nits | 286 nits | |
RELIABILITY, APPEARANCE & ACOUSTICS | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Build Quality Score | |||
Build Quality Score | 6.3/10 | 7.4/10 | |
Portability Score | |||
Portability Score | 7.7/10 | 7.7/10 | |
Gaming Laptop Appearance | |||
Gaming Laptop Appearance | No | No | |
Premium Business Laptop | |||
Premium Business Laptop | No | Yes | |
Fan Noise Score | |||
Fan Noise Score | 7.5/10 | 8/10 | |
HARDWARE FEATURES | |||
|---|---|---|---|
Keyboard Quality Score | |||
Keyboard Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 7/10 | |
Speaker Quality Score | |||
Speaker Quality Score | 6.5/10 | 8/10 | |
Webcam | |||
Webcam | 720p | 720p | |
Fingerprint Reader | |||
Fingerprint Reader | No | No | |
Backlit Keyboard | |||
Backlit Keyboard | No | Yes | |
Number Pad | |||
Number Pad | Yes | Yes | |
CONNECTIVITY | |||
|---|---|---|---|
USB Type-A | |||
USB Type-A | 2 | 2 | |
USB-C ports | |||
USB-C ports | 1 | 2 | |
USB-C Charging | |||
USB-C Charging | No | Yes | |
Display Outputs | |||
Display Outputs | 1 | 3 | |
Thunderbolt Version | |||
Thunderbolt Version | N/A | 4 | |
Shopping
Dell Inspiron 15 3520
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Dig into reviews and images
PCMag
Mark Knapp | January 2023
"Dell's Inspiron 15 (3525) is a peppy-enough and affordable-enough home or remote work machine, but it's not very ambitious; it does little to go beyond the basics. More the concern: It’s readily overshadowed by a number of machines that outperform and outclass it. Even if the Inspiron can get the job done today, its competition has the mettle to keep doing the job tomorrow in a way the Inspiron simply can’t promise. Plus, those alternatives are much more enjoyable after work."
Get a great deal on the Dell Inspiron 15 3520 or the Dell Latitude 5530
About Dell
Dell is a highly recognizable American technology company, and is one of the largest personal computer vendor by market share. Their laptops are very popular for both personal and professional use, and they also own the Alienware brand which makes mid to high end gaming laptops. Their premium XPS range of laptops offer great build quality and portability, while Latitude and Precision laptops are known for reliability, repairability and performance for business users.
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